Video: I finished 75% of the war: CBK

Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga today staked a bigger claim for the war victory by reiterating that 75 per cent of the LTTE-held territory was cleared during her tenure.

She told a news conference held at her official residence that at the time she took over the presidency in 1994, the entire northern region -- barring five or six military bases at Mannar, Talaimannar, Kankesanturai, Point Pedro, Mullaitivu and Vavuniya in the central part of the North -- was controlled by LTTE leader Velupullai Prabhakaran.

Ms. Kumaratunga said Prabhakaran was calling the shots in the North and even dictating terms to the government officials.

“But within a year after assuming office, we liberated the entire Jaffna area. How can one deny it? Our people do not believe in falsehoods. Are our people a bunch of donkeys to believe in untruths? After Jaffna was captured on December 5, 1995, the LTTE retreated into the jungles of Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi while having an insignificant presence in other parts other parts of the North. Nearly 75 per cent of the areas controlled by Prabhakaran were liberated under my government. I do not crow about it. I did not install life size cutouts of myself. I am not mentally retarded or an egoist to do such things. I do not lay claim to be the President forever by boasting of gains on the war front,” she said.

Ms. Kumaratunga, who is playing a key role in common opposition candidate Maitripala Sirisena’s election campaign when asked whether she had distanced herself from the campaign, she said she was down with a bad cough for about two weeks and therefore did not address any of the political rallies.

“If I speak, it will get worse and thought it better to keep away till I got better. There are no other reasons for keeping away. Probably the state media may want me to die,” she said.

Commenting on the campaigning at grassroots level, she said there were issues about coordinating propaganda activities, but those matters were being sorted and added that the crossover of UNP’s former General Secretary Tissa Attanayake had an impact because he was involved in planning campaign activities.

“Normally, a General Secretary plays a key role. The UNP General Secretary was involved at a planning level. His crossover upset some of the activities initially. Now a new General Secretary has been appointed. He is sorting out matters. Things will fall in line soon,” she said.

She is trying to take her son in to politics after this. Maithree losing 25% of votes bcoz of her act.

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1364

Henry Wednesday, 17 December 2014 05:01

From Heaven to Hell or otherwise, what happened to your eye madam? It was a known fact to all Sri Lankans that the country was divided and even virtual border fences were existing while southern part of the country was bombed or destroyed by suicide carders.

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UGK Wednesday, 17 December 2014 05:16

Bloody hell, how could she claim this. She is the only leader who has not done anything for the country other than giving a bad example of arriving late for every damn event.

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Devaka Wednesday, 17 December 2014 05:28

Too much alcohol affects the mind

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Ranjith Wednesday, 17 December 2014 05:34

During her regime Ranil UNP signed the Pact with LTTE

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robin Wednesday, 17 December 2014 05:58

Victory has many mothers.she could not achieve balance 25% without signing PTOM

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Amaris aiys Wednesday, 17 December 2014 06:06

She got Jaffna..but lost..Mulateevu, Killinochchi and Elephant pass with extremely heavy loss of lives and military hardware. During her time the airforce was nearly depleted as military aircraft were either being shot down or kept falling out of the sky and then there was the attach on katunayake!!..she is mad to make such claims!!!

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Alston Wednesday, 17 December 2014 06:44

Perhaps the opposite; your regime added 75% to the war. The winning strategy credit goes to General Fonseka though others claim that.

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Maheshwaran Appu Wednesday, 17 December 2014 07:50

Bambuwa Thamai !!!

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MSR Wednesday, 17 December 2014 07:56

Pissu nathnam hodai!

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Maa-banda Wednesday, 17 December 2014 07:57

Lies and Dam lies

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WK Costa Wednesday, 17 December 2014 08:14

She finished 75% of the country

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siva Wednesday, 17 December 2014 08:34

I dont agree with you. She finished about 99% of the country..

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student Wednesday, 17 December 2014 08:29

Madam, it should be corrected as "I finished 75% of the country".

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Ravi Wednesday, 17 December 2014 11:51

Ha Ha What a silly joke, Nindenda......

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Chintha Wednesday, 17 December 2014 12:51

she is gone mental,

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true Wednesday, 17 December 2014 13:04

She Starts her lies again

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S.Sriranjan Wednesday, 17 December 2014 17:52

Who is the Winner? Either Chandrika or Mahinda?? Wait for January 08.2014!

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Saman Nawana Wednesday, 17 December 2014 18:18

This woman is mad or have dementia

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Ram Wednesday, 17 December 2014 18:34

Only one person in Sri Lanka could eiminate devil tamil leader and rest is MR.. She is the one who help to grow not 75% 100%increase in terrorist activity. If not for MR country would have gone to dogs. Hope all sri lankan tamils would support MR not these jokers like maithri sampanthan etc etc

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Dias Wednesday, 17 December 2014 19:21

May God bless to her evidence and wisdom and I wish you all also far off under her SLFP guidance, furthermost of stable freedom glorious and prosperous future fo my motherland. and all of our srilankean.May God bless you all in this christmasstime.Yours: Benedict.Dias.B

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Asanka Wednesday, 17 December 2014 21:12

ai ituru tikat iwara kare natte

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06

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